What Do I Miss Most about New York City?

If you are a frequent reader of my blog you know that my husband and I moved from Brooklyn, New York to the greater Denver area of Colorado a little over four months ago. I was born and raised in Brooklyn and I loved the entire city of New York very much, but the pull of family, as my children and grandchildren all lived in Colorado, was the strongest pull on our hearts.

We packed up the house we lived in for 36 years out of our 38 years of marriage--a house full of happy memories--and said goodbye to many family members and close friends. Of course, of all the things we miss about New York City, we miss them most of all! 

My husband has been back to New York a few times for business since we've moved, and was able to visit with some of his family and friends, but it will be a while before I will be able to do the same, as I take care of my granddaughter during the day while my daughter is at work.

But that's OK. I feel fortunate I was really able to enjoy New York City to the fullest for many years before we moved. At times I feel like I haven't even left. All I have to do is close my eyes, and  I am back, taking a walk down the narrow streets of Lower Manhattan...

...or exploring the waterfront nooks and crannies of Brooklyn.

I see tall buildings...

..and the East River traffic.

The Statue of Liberty is still standing proudly in the harbor.

I hear the sounds of the summer beach crowds in Coney Island.....

...and I feel the spray and smell the briny salt water of the Atlantic Ocean...

...and feel the energy and the hustle and bustle of Times Square.

 I remember the quiet solitude of the past, in the oldest house in New York, now a museum, that once belonged to one of the early Dutch settlers in Brooklyn in 1652.

I can still take a walk along the bay, all the way to the Verrazano Bridge...

...or cheer at a New York Yankee's game.

I can still stroll through the brownstone streets of Brooklyn Heights...

...or see the magnificent view from the "Top of the Rock," at Rockefeller Center.

New York City is still part of my mind and heart, and always will be.

Of course, nothing can compare to the joy my husband and I now feel living in Colorado, as we now see our grandsons often, and our granddaughter almost daily. They are the jewels in the crown of our autumn years. We know we made the right decision to move 1,800 + miles to live closer to them. We are now on a new adventure and living a new life as interesting as our past. 

But, as we settle in and enjoy our new life in the beautiful state of Colorado, we do have a few longings for something we left behind in New York, besides our dear family and friends......

Can you guess what it is?

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It is NYC Pizza!

 Even more specifically, Brooklyn pizza!

There are lots of pizzerias located all around the world that claim to be "New York style pizza," but, honestly, their pizza never tastes the same as a good New York City pizza does. What is it about NYC pizza that makes it shine? Is it the water? The old coal ovens? The NYC atmosphere? Whatever it is, no one makes pizza that tastes as delicious as a good Brooklyn pizza--both thin crust Neapolitan style as you see on the top of this photo, or thick crust Sicilian style that is on the bottom. Will I ever find a pizza as good as what I loved in Brooklyn?  I don't think so! I can't even make it as good. So,  I guess you now know one of the things I'll be looking for whenever ever I do make a visit back to New York.

Yes, as these balloons under the Manhattan Bridge spell out: "Love You Forever" New York City!  I am so glad I lived so many years in the best city in the world.  

I also now love Colorado, but please--won't someone please send me some good Brooklyn pizza?